Matthew Stafford Injury Puts Lions In A Bad Spot Against Mightier Titans

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Written By Drew Ellis on December 14, 2020Last Updated on December 18, 2020
matthew stafford

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On Sunday, not only did the Detroit Lions witness their playoff aspirations being extinguished, but they also suffered a potential loss of their quarterback.

Following the 31-24 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Matthew Stafford sustained a rib injury. There is currently uncertainty surrounding his availability for the upcoming week.

What implications does this hold for the Lions vs. Titans game in Week 15 as they travel to face Tennessee this coming Sunday?

Lions vs. Titans odds: Waiting on a Matthew Stafford update

On Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, the Titans (9-4, 4-3 at home) will host the Lions (5-8, 4-3 away) in a game broadcasted on Fox.

As of now, there are limited oddsmakers who have provided odds for the game due to the uncertain status of Stafford. On Monday morning, only FanDuel Sportsbook had released odds for the Lions vs. Titans matchup.

The Titans initially started as a 9.5-point favorite in their home game. However, the point spread increased to 10.5 points by Tuesday, and the game was also listed on DraftKings Sportsbook.

As of Wednesday, William Hill Sportsbook had set the sole over/under at 51.5 points. However, by Thursday, WH adjusted the line to 11 points.

Lions at Titans Week 15 odds BetMGM DraftKings FanDuel PointsBet William Hill
Point spread
(-110 juice unless noted)
DET +10.5 -100
TEN -10.5 -120
DET +11 -113
TEN -11 -108
DET +10.5 -105
TEN -10.5 -115
DET +11
TEN -11
Moneyline DET +450
TEN -588
DET +440
TEN -560
DET +440
TEN -590
DET +450
TEN -600
Total points
(-110 juice unless noted)
O 51.5
U 51.5
O 51.5 -105
U 51.5 -117
O 51.5
U 51.5
O 51.5
U 51.5

The odds were last updated on Friday, December 18 at 12:30 p.m.

Currently, sports betting in Michigan continues to pose a challenge due to the closure of the three Detroit casinos until at least December 20th, as mandated by the pandemic order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Click here to stay updated on the status of tribal casinos offering sports betting and the reopening dates of Detroit casinos.

Titans dominant against Detroit

The Titans and the Lions have a limited history, having only played against each other 12 times. They last met in 2016.

Tennessee has an impressive record of 9-3 in the 12 meetings, with the added feat of winning five consecutive victories.

In addition to their victories, the Titans have also successfully covered the spread in their previous three games against Detroit.

There are indications that suggest the Lions may cover the spread. Despite playing indoors on turf, the Lions have a 4-1 ATS record in their recent five games played on grass.

After a commanding 31-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, the Titans find themselves in a familiar situation. Despite their recent triumph, the Titans have often faced difficulties in maintaining their momentum after such resounding wins. Their record stands at a mere 8-17 ATS in the past 25 games following a victory of more than 14 points.

As a result of Stafford’s injury, there is currently no available public betting information for this game.

Lions vs. Titans: Is Matthew Stafford’s season over?

Despite a spirited effort by the Lions against the Packers on Sunday, they were unable to secure a victory and instead suffered a 7-point loss at home. However, things took a turn for the worse as a series of unfortunate events unfolded.

Stafford rushed for a crucial first down to the Green Bay 2-yard line in the fourth quarter, with the Lions trailing by 14 points. Unfortunately, during the play, he collided with Green Bay’s Kenny Clark and sustained a rib injury.

After the game, Stafford required X-rays on his ribs and was unable to resume playing for Detroit in their subsequent possession.

Interim coach Darrell Bevell mentioned that it is currently too soon to determine if Stafford will be absent from upcoming games. However, he did emphasize that only an extreme circumstance would prevent Stafford from participating on the field.

There is speculation about whether Stafford’s last play in a Lions uniform will be the scramble if he is unable to play this week or for the remainder of the season.

Stafford’s tenure with the Lions seems to be nearing its conclusion sooner rather than later, as a new general manager and head coach are set to take charge after his 12 seasons in Detroit.

Detroit turns to backup QB Chase Daniel

If Stafford is unable to play, Chase Daniel will take the field as the starting quarterback for the Lions.

On Sunday, it was Daniel who entered the game for the final possession of the Lions. He completed 3 out of 6 passes for a total of 29 yards, which ultimately resulted in Detroit scoring a field goal.

In the 2020 offseason, Daniel, a seasoned NFL player with 12 years of experience, joined the Lions after signing a lucrative three-year contract worth $13.05 million.

Throughout his professional journey, Daniel’s passing statistics encompass a modest 1,553 yards, accompanied by eight touchdowns and six interceptions.

Although Daniel is a veteran, the absence of Stafford would definitely impact the Lions offense.

Stafford’s performance this season has been his strongest since 2017, as he has thrown for 3,522 yards and 22 touchdowns while only being intercepted nine times. Against Tennessee, who ranks 29th in passing defense in the NFL, Stafford has the potential to have a standout game. The Titans allow an average of 273.6 passing yards per game.

With Detroit’s offense currently ranking in the lower half of the NFL, it is now faced with the task of depending even more on its run game, which is ranked 30th at 90.3 yards per game. Although D’Andre Swift made his return on Sunday after being absent for the previous three games due to a concussion/illness, his performance was underwhelming, only managing to gain 24 yards from seven carries.

Currently, the Lions hold the 10th position in the NFC playoff standings, trailing the Arizona Cardinals by two games for the remaining playoff spot.

Titans stay atop AFC South

On Sunday, the Tennessee Titans secured a victory against the Jaguars, consequently retaining their narrow lead in the AFC South.

The Titans and the Indianapolis Colts hold identical 9-4 records this season. While the two teams had a split in their head-to-head matchups, the Titans currently maintain the tiebreaker advantage due to their superior division record of 4-1, as opposed to Indy’s 2-2 record.

The Lions are up against a formidable opponent in the Tennessee Titans, who possess a strong rushing attack. With an impressive average of 157.8 yards per game, the Titans rank second in the NFL for rushing. This poses a significant challenge for the Lions’ defense, which currently holds the 29th rank, allowing an average of 132.8 yards per game on the ground.

Derrick Henry is currently experiencing an exceptional season, having amassed 1,532 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He currently holds the top position in the NFL rushing category with a lead of almost 200 yards. Henry’s recent performance against the Jaguars saw him achieve an impressive 215-yard record on Sunday.

Ryan Tannehill, the quarterback, has discovered a comfortable and successful tenure in Tennessee this year. Demonstrating exceptional performance, he has achieved an impressive record of 3,209 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, while only allowing five interceptions.

Tennessee’s defense has faced difficulties in terms of defense, allowing an average of 25.8 points and 387.5 yards per game. Their defensive line has struggled to generate an effective pass rush, accumulating a mere 14 sacks throughout 12 games.

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